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The Men Who Kidnapped Children For The British Queen’s Royal Choir
It was once legal for kids to be forcibly taken to perform for the English crown
The British Monarchy is an institution that stretches back for centuries. Although they still wield enormous power today, in the past it was even more certain that they got what they wanted. Back at the turn of the 17th century, two shady businessmen resorted to kidnapping, which was royally sanctioned, in order to build the best British royal children’s choir possible for the Queen of England and to line their own pockets.
Nathaniel Giles was a talented musician (the organ) and composer, who wrote a number of well-known Anglican anthems, and also served as the organist for the esteemed Worcester Cathedral. At various times, he also led the choir at St. George’s Chapel and performed as the Westminster Abbey organist. The experience he gained helped ultimately propel him into the position of Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal. In running this musical group of gifted kids, his job was to identify the best talent possible and incorporate them with the others to produce legendary musical performances.
Given that it was the 1600s, human rights and civil liberties weren’t exactly high priorities, which was part of why Giles was the recipient of a…
